Sata hard drive in Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H motherboard

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masoudk

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Aug 12, 2016
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I have a question about my motherboard Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H.
It has 6 sata slots. two of them are in middle and four of them are in the bottom of motherboard.
On middle slots there is a label "SATA Express, SATA3 4 / SATA 3 5 & M.2 slot can only be enabled one at a time". I don't understand what does it mean. I use this two slots for my dvd writer and my hard drive and it works fine. I want to add another hard drive in my case. Where is best to connect its sata cable? Should I connect it in bottom or middle sata slots of motherboard?
Also in my motherboard webpage Ive read my motherboard only supports two hard drives. Then why it has 6 sata slots? Did I read it wrong?
Thank you.
 
Solution
USAFRet


From the user manual...
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D_Know_WD

D_Know_WD

Judicious
Jul 30, 2014
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Hi there masoudk,

Which slots are you currently using? Check the MOBO's manual for better visualization.
I believe your OS drive should be attached to slot 0 right?

Just attach the additional drive to any free SATA port. You will not notice performance difference. If your OS drive is attached to port 0, then attach the secondary drive to port 1.

If something is not working right, you can attach it to another SATA port.

It may be a good idea update your MOBO's drivers, in case they are not up to date.

Cheers,
D_Know_WD :)
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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From the user manual: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4962#sp
"(M.2, SATA Express, and SATA3 4/5 connectors can only be used one at a time. The SATA3 4/5 connectors will become unavailable when an M.2 SSD is installed.)"

If you use an M.2 drive, the SATA 4 and 5 ports are not available.


And nowhere does it say "only 2 drives".
 
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Solution
M

masoudk

Commendable
Aug 12, 2016
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1,510


Thanks for reply.

It says "M.2, SATA Express, and SATA3 4/5 connectors can only be used one at a time." When you read this it seems it mean you can only use M.2 or SATA Express or SATA3 4/5 connectors.
But in continue it says "The SATA3 4/5 connectors will become unavailable when an M.2 SSD is installed". It seems it mean you can still use SATA Express and SATA3 4/5 at same time.

I ask it because my two sata express slots are in use and I have to use one of SATA3 4/5 slots for additional hard drive.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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I *think* that means you can use the M.2 OR SATA Express OR SATA 4&5.
Meaning if you are already using Sata Express, your SATA 4&5 are not available.

Do you have a spare drive around? If so, just try it. See what happens.
 
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M

masoudk

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Aug 12, 2016
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Appreciated for reply.
It seems I have to leave SATA Express and use SATA 4&5 if I want to add another internal hard drive. Is there really a HUGE performance difference between SATA Express and SATA 4&5? In this case is it a good idea to buy an external hard drive and connect it to pc through USB 3.0? Which one are faster?
Thank you.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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What drive are you using on this SATA express?
 
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M

masoudk

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Aug 12, 2016
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I use a storage hard drive and a dvd writer.
I don't want to replace dvd writer with new storage drive frequently. I prefer to connect all of them to a SATA 4&5 or buy an external storage device. Which is faster.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Internal SATA is faster than USB 3.
 
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